JP7550896B2 - Inspection system and tokens for gaming - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection system for gaming tokens used in table games and gaming tokens.

Conventionally, gaming establishments such as casinos play table games using gaming tokens. Since gaming tokens can be converted into cash, counterfeiting of gaming tokens is strictly controlled. Various technologies have been proposed and adopted to distinguish counterfeit gaming tokens from genuine gaming tokens. For example, a method is known in which an RF tag recording identification information is embedded in the gaming token, and the identification information is read by an RF reader to determine authenticity (for example, Patent Document 1).

Meanwhile, different values are defined for each type of gaming token, and technology has been proposed to detect the value of gaming tokens in order to automate table games. For example, a method is known in which an RF tag that records information on the type or value of a gaming token is embedded in the gaming token, and the value is detected by reading this information with an RF reader (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-246103 A

The present invention provides a novel gaming token whose authenticity can be determined based on images obtained by photography, and an inspection system for inspecting the token.

One aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for gaming tokens using a gaming table, which includes a recording device that uses a camera to record the type and authenticity of the gaming tokens, and an inspection device that uses the recording results of the recording device to determine the authenticity of the gaming tokens, the gaming tokens being provided with unique IDs that are individually identifiable by appearance, the inspection device reading the unique IDs attached to the gaming tokens to be inspected using a camera, and the authenticity of the gaming tokens to be inspected can be determined based on the unique IDs read, and the unique IDs are formed in the ID mark area, which is made of UV ink or infrared absorbing material, by irradiating a laser beam onto the ID mark area to partially alter or remove the UV ink or infrared absorbing material that constitutes the ID mark area, forming an individually identifiable unique ID or a unique ID that is individually identifiable for each specific group.

With this configuration, by irradiating the ID mark area of the gaming token with ultraviolet or infrared light, a unique ID becomes visible in the ID mark area, making it possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming token by reading the unique ID.

In the above inspection system, the ID code may be associated in a database with any of the machine used in production, the order of production, the time of production, and production information.

With this configuration, by reading the ID code, it is possible to determine the machine used to produce the gaming tokens, the order of production, the time of production, or production information.

In the above inspection system, the gaming token may further include an RFID or ID code in addition to the individually identifiable unique ID attached to the outside, and the inspection device may have a database that associates the unique ID attached to the outer layer with the RFID or ID code further attached to the gaming token, and may read the unique ID attached to the gaming token to be inspected using a camera, and determine the authenticity of the gaming token to be inspected based on the results of comparing the read ID and the RFID or ID code further attached to the gaming token with the contents of the database.

With this configuration, the authenticity of gaming tokens can be determined by comparing the unique ID made of UV ink or infrared absorbing material with a separately provided RFID or ID code.

In the above inspection system, the inspection device may be configured to determine the authenticity of the gaming tokens using a normal camera and an infrared camera or a UV camera.

With this configuration, the unique ID revealed in the ID mark area can be photographed with an infrared or UV camera to determine the authenticity of the gaming token.

In the above inspection system, the unique ID of the gaming token may be a code consisting of letters or marks.

With this configuration, a unique ID is expressed by letters or marks.

In the above inspection system, the unique ID of the gaming token may be transparent.

This configuration allows a unique ID to be assigned to the gaming token without compromising its design, while also improving security.

The gaming token of one embodiment of the present invention has an individually identifiable unique ID on the outside, the unique ID is read using a camera, and the authenticity of the gaming token can be determined from the read unique ID, and the unique ID is formed by irradiating an ID mark area made of UV ink or infrared absorbing material with laser light to partially alter or remove the UV ink or infrared absorbing material that makes up the ID mark area, forming an individually identifiable unique ID in the ID mark area or a unique ID that is individually identifiable for each specific group.

With this configuration, by irradiating the ID mark area of the gaming token with ultraviolet or infrared light, a unique ID becomes visible in the ID mark area, making it possible to determine the authenticity of the gaming token by reading the unique ID.

In the above gaming tokens, the ID code may be associated with any of the machine used for production, the order of production, the time of production, and production information via a database.

With this configuration, by reading the ID code, it is possible to determine the machine used to produce the gaming tokens, the order of production, the time of production, or production information.

The gaming tokens described above may further include an RFID or ID code in addition to the individually identifiable unique ID attached to the outside, and by using a database that associates the unique ID attached to the outside with the RFID or ID code further attached to the gaming token, the authenticity of the gaming token to be inspected may be determined by comparing the unique ID attached to the gaming token to be inspected and the RFID or ID code further attached to the gaming token with the contents of the database.

With this configuration, the authenticity of gaming tokens can be determined by comparing the unique ID made from UV ink or infrared absorbing material with a separately provided RFID or ID code.

The unique ID of the gaming token may be a code consisting of letters or marks.

With this configuration, a unique ID is expressed by letters or marks.

The unique ID of the gaming token may be transparent.

This configuration allows a unique ID to be assigned to the gaming token without compromising its design, while also improving security.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is an inspection system for inspecting gaming tokens, comprising: a gaming token to which code information has been imparted by partially irradiating an ID mark area, which is entirely coated with ink, with laser light to partially alter or remove the area; a camera for photographing the gaming token; and an inspection device for reading the code information based on the image photographed by the camera to determine the authenticity of the gaming token.

With this configuration, the code information provided by the irradiation of the laser light can be read to determine the authenticity of the gaming tokens.

In the above inspection system, the ink applied to the entire ID mark area may be invisible ink, and the system may further include a lamp that irradiates the gaming token with a light beam to make the invisible ink visible, and the inspection device may read the code information that is visualized by irradiating the light beam.

With this configuration, the ID mark area cannot be seen under visible light, so code information can be added without affecting the design of the gaming token, and security can be improved.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a token for gaming, comprising at least a display surface for displaying value, and an ID mark area provided on the display surface and entirely coated with ink, and configured such that a first code information is imparted by partially irradiating the ID mark area with laser light to partially alter or remove the area.

This configuration allows code information to be imparted by irradiating it with laser light.

In the above-mentioned gaming token, the ink applied to the entire surface of the ID mark area may be UV ink that emits light when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the portion irradiated with the laser light may be altered or removed so that it does not emit light even when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

With this configuration, the first code information can be visualized by irradiating the ID mark area with ultraviolet light.

In the above-mentioned gaming token, the ink applied to the entire ID mark area may be ink made of an infrared absorbing material that absorbs infrared rays, and the portion irradiated with the laser light may be altered or removed so as not to absorb infrared rays.

With this configuration, the first code information can be visualized by irradiating the ID mark area with infrared light.

In the above gaming tokens, the gaming tokens may be manufactured by being cut out from a token original plate, and may be provided with second code information in ink, the first code information may be information that uniquely identifies the token original plate, and the second code information may be information that indicates a position within the token original plate.

With this configuration, the first code information and the second code information can be used to form information that uniquely identifies a gaming token.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a game token according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a plan view of a gaming token in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a plurality of gaming tokens are stacked in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an invisible ink area according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a token original plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of game tokens in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet member that serves as a printing layer in the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of a sheet member coated with a protective film in an embodiment of the present invention. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an order in which sheet members are superimposed in the embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of a modified gaming token according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of a gaming token according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. A diagram showing a configuration for inspecting gaming tokens placed on a gaming table in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a gaming token 1 according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing a configuration for inspecting game tokens collected for inspection in a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an inspection system according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example of how the present invention can be implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. When implementing the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

The inspection system of this embodiment is a system for inspecting gaming tokens used in table games using a gaming table. First, the configuration of the gaming tokens will be described. Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of the gaming tokens, Figure 2 is a plan view of the gaming tokens, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of multiple gaming tokens stacked up.

The gaming token 1 has a multi-layered disk shape formed by thermocompressing a number of plastic sheet members to form a token original plate, and then punching the token original plate into a circle. In this embodiment, as described below, 50 circles are cut out from one token original plate to produce 50 gaming tokens 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the gaming token 1 has a five-layer structure in which a three-layer structure in which a colored layer (designated color layer) 11, colored in a designated color, is sandwiched between light-colored layers (common color layers) 12 on either side, and this is further sandwiched between a printed layer 14. A transparent protective film 15 such as varnish is formed on the surface of the printed layer 14, and if this protective film 15 is counted as one layer, the gaming token has a seven-layer structure. An RF tag 13 is sandwiched between the colored layer 11 and the light-colored layer 12, and the gaming token 1 has the RF tag 13 built in. That is, the colored sheet material constituting the colored layer 11 is sandwiched between the light-colored sheet material constituting the light-colored layer 12 on both sides, and the RF tag 13 is sandwiched between the light-colored layer 12 and the colored layer 11 so that it is at the center of the area where the gaming token 1 is punched out. Both sides of these three sheet materials are further sandwiched between the sheet material constituting the printed layer 14, and these five sheet materials are thermocompression bonded to form the token original plate 10. By punching out this token original plate 10 into a circle, a striped pattern consisting of the colored layer 11 and the two light-colored layers 12 sandwiching it is formed on the side, and a gaming token 1 with an RF tag 13 built in the center is obtained.

There are multiple types of gaming tokens 1 according to their value (10 points, 20 points, 100 points, 1000 points, etc.), and the color (designated color) of the colored layer 11 varies according to the type. In other words, the designated color represents the type of gaming token 1, and for example, 10 points, 20 points, 100 points, and 1000 points are represented by red, green, yellow, and blue, respectively.

The gaming token 1 has a colored layer 11 in the middle, sandwiched between light-colored layers 12 on both sides, so that even when multiple gaming tokens 1 are stacked as shown in FIG. 3, each colored layer 11 is separated in the layer stacking direction, and the number and type (value) of the gaming tokens 1 can be detected by the color of the colored layer 11 that can be observed from the side. The light-colored layer 12 may be white, as long as it is a lighter color than the colored layer 11. While the color of the colored layer 11 differs for each type of gaming token 1, the color of the light-colored layer 12 is the same for all types.

As shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the printing layer 14 on both sides of the gaming token 1 is printed with at least a number indicating the value as a display surface 120. In the example of FIG. 2, the number "100" indicating a value of 100 points is printed on the display surface 120. The display surface 120 also has code information at a specified position for checking authenticity.

The code information is printed on the display surface 120 with a transparent, invisible ink that cannot be seen under visible light. The code information consists of first code information provided in the ID mark area 121, which is solidly coated with invisible ink, and second code information provided outside the ID mark area 121. The second code information may also be provided within the ID mark area 121.

The first code information expresses information by the presence or absence of marks 122 at ten predetermined positions (a total of 20 predetermined positions) arranged in two rows on the circumference, and can express 4 to the power of 10 (2 to the power of 20) types of information.

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the ID mark region 121. UV ink, which is invisible ink, is applied to the ID mark region 121, and a mark 122 is formed by irradiating this UV ink with laser light. UV ink fluoresces when irradiated with ultraviolet light, but the UV ink has changed in the part of the mark 122 irradiated with the laser light, and no longer emits light even when exposed to ultraviolet light. Therefore, by irradiating the entire ID mark region 121 with ultraviolet light, the non-emitting part of the ID mark region 121 becomes the mark 122, which can be observed externally.

An L-shaped mark 124 that functions as a reference mark is displayed in the ID mark area 121. Using this L-shaped mark 124 as a reference, the position of each of the marks 122 shown at specific positions in two rows and ten columns can be determined. A unique ID that can be individually identified by appearance is provided as the first code information in the ID mark area 121. This ID can individually identify the token original plate 10 when manufacturing the gaming token 1.

In other words, the ID of the ID mark area 121 of multiple (50 in this embodiment) gaming tokens 1 obtained from the same token original plate 10 is the same. If one token original plate 10 is considered as one group, the ID represented by the first code information in the ID mark area 121 is a unique ID that can individually identify each gaming token 1 in each group. In this way, the ID mark area 121 is an area to which a unique ID is assigned by the mark 122.

The ID indicating the first code information is associated in the database 56 with information on the machine used to manufacture the token plate 10, the order of manufacture, the time of manufacture, and/or manufacturing information.

On the other hand, the second code information expresses information by the presence or absence of marks 123 at six predetermined positions arranged on the circumference, and can express 2 to the power of 6 types of information. This second code information also indicates a unique ID that can be individually identified by appearance. This ID can individually identify the position on the token original plate 10 when manufacturing the gaming token 1. In other words, the second code information indicates the position on the token original plate 10, and the second code information of gaming tokens 1 cut from the same position on different token original plates 10 is the same, but the second code information does not overlap among multiple gaming tokens 1 cut from the same token original plate 10.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one token original plate 10 for producing multiple gaming tokens 1. As described above, a total of 50 gaming tokens 1 are produced from one token original plate 10 in 10 rows and 5 columns. As shown in Figure 5, in one token original plate 10, different combinations of marks 123 are provided on each of the 50 gaming tokens 1 to indicate their position on the token original plate 10 as second code information.

As described above, the first code information can uniquely identify the token original plate 10 used to manufacture the gaming token 1, and the second code information can uniquely identify the position of the gaming token 1 on the token original plate 10 used to manufacture the gaming token, and by identifying the first code information and the second code information, the gaming token 1 can be uniquely identified. As described above, the first code information can express 2 to the power of 20 different pieces of information, and the second code information can express 2 to the power of 6 different pieces of information, so that by combining the first code information and the second code information, 2 to the power of 26 different pieces of code information can be used.

The RF tag 13 stores a unique ID (RFID) as information (RF tag information) that uniquely identifies the gaming token 1. This RF tag information may be the same as the code information consisting of the first code information and the second code information expressed in invisible ink on the display surface 120 of the printing layer 14, or it may be different information.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the manufacturing process of the gaming token 1. First, printing is performed on the sheet member that will become the printing layer 14 (step S61). Figure 7 is a plan view of the sheet member 140 that will become the printing layer 14. As shown in Figure 7, the sheet member 140 has a portion that will become the upper printing layer 14 and a portion that will become the lower printing layer 14 arranged side by side, and second code information from 1 to 50 is arranged line-symmetrically with respect to the center line C in the center between the left and right. In other words, printing corresponding to 10 rows x 10 rows of gaming tokens 1 is performed on one sheet member 140. In Figure 7, #1 to #50 indicate the second code information (i.e., information that specifies the position of the gaming token 1 on the token original plate 10), but in reality, the content shown in Figure 5 is printed. After printing on the sheet member 140 is completed, a protective film 150 is applied thereon (step S62).

Next, the sheet member 140 coated with the protective film 150, the sheet member 120 that will become the light-colored layer 12, and the sheet member 110 that will become the colored layer 11 are stacked together (step S63). Figure 8 is a side view of the sheet member 140 coated with the protective film 150, and Figure 9 is a diagram explaining the stacking order of the sheet members.

As shown in FIG. 9, an RF tag 13 is placed on the sheet member 110 that serves as the colored layer at a position corresponding to each gaming token 1, and sheet members 120 that serve as the light-colored layer 12 are placed above and below the sheet member 110, with sheet members 140 placed above and below them. At this time, the upper sheet member 140 is placed so that the printed surface (the coated surface of the protective film 150) faces upwards, and the lower sheet member 140 is placed so that the printed surface (the coated surface of the protective film 150) faces downwards.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the second code information is printed line-symmetrically with respect to the center line C, so if the 10 rows x 10 rows of sheet material 140 is cut along the center line C as shown in FIG. 8 and one side (the right side in FIG. 8) is then rotated so as to fold back, the positions of the second code information will match on the upper and lower sheet members 140 when the sheet members are overlapped as shown in FIG. 9. In this way, the upper and lower sheet members 140 are printed as a single sheet member at the printing stage, and are then separated and used separately when overlapping, reducing the occurrence of mistakes such as mismatching the upper and lower sheet members 140.

Next, the sheet members stacked in the order shown in FIG. 9 are thermocompression bonded (step S64). This creates the token original plate 10. An RF reader is used to read RF tag information from the 50 RF tags 13 embedded in this token original plate 10 (step S65), and this is associated with information that uniquely identifies the token original plate 10 in the database (an ID that identifies the sheet member 140) (step S66).

Next, a punching process is performed to punch out 50 gaming tokens 1 from the token original plate 10 (step S67). As a result, 50 gaming tokens 1 are obtained. The first code information is written to the ID mark areas 121 (printed on both the front and back) of these 50 gaming tokens 1 one by one by laser irradiation (step S68). As described above, the RF tag information of the RF tag 13 is linked to the first code information (the ID of the token original plate 10) in the database, so when writing by laser irradiation, the RF tag information is read using an RF reader and the corresponding first code information is written.

Finally, information is written into the RF tag 13 using an RF writer (step S69). Here, in addition to the first code information and the second code information, the RF tag information written includes the amount of the gaming token, casino information, junket information, chip attributes such as whether it is a rolling chip or a cashing chip (whether it can be converted into cash or not), and other information or codes desired by the user.

As described above, in this embodiment, the printing of the second code information and the ID mark area (step S61) is performed on the printing layer 14 in the state of the sheet member 140 before the punching process (step S67), and the writing of the first code information by laser irradiation to the ID mark area 121 (step S68) is performed on the ID mark area 121 of each game token 1 that has been broken into pieces after the punching process (step S67). If the laser irradiation (step S68) is performed before the punching process (step S67) (i.e., if the token original plate 10 is irradiated with a laser), it is necessary to either line up multiple laser irradiators or use one laser irradiator and move the laser irradiator or the token original plate 10. However, the laser irradiator is relatively expensive, and preparing multiple laser irradiators is disadvantageous in terms of cost. In addition, high precision is required for the mechanism that moves the laser irradiator or the token original plate 10. In addition, the laser irradiator is heavy and it is not easy to move it. For these reasons, after the punching process (step S67), the first code information is written to each gaming token 1 by laser irradiation. Note that the information to be written by laser irradiation can be determined by reading the RF tag information already written in the RF tag 13, so by reading the RF tag information during laser irradiation, the information to be written by laser irradiation can be written without error.

Figure 10 is a flow chart showing another example of the manufacturing process of the gaming token 1. In this manufacturing process, a gaming token 1 having a three-layer structure shown in Figure 11 is manufactured. As shown in Figure 11, the gaming token 1 has a three-layer structure consisting of a colored layer 11 and upper and lower light-colored layers 12 sandwiching it, and the surface of the light-colored layer 12 is the display surface 120. In other words, printing is performed directly on the surface of the light-colored layer 12. When manufacturing the gaming token 1, first, a light-colored sheet material is prepared, and an RF tag 13 is placed on the center of the punching position of the gaming token 1 on top of it, and a sheet material colored with a specified color and a light-colored sheet material are layered on top of it in this order to form a laminated structure consisting of multiple plastic layers. Then, this laminated structure is heated and pressurized in the stacking direction to thermally weld each layer to manufacture a three-layered token original plate 10 (step S101).

Next, a number indicating the value, an ID mark area 121 for indicating the first code information, and a mark 123 indicating the second code information are printed on the display surface 120 of the token original plate 10 (step S102). At this time, the ID mark area 121 is simply filled in entirely at any position, meaning that the first code information has not yet been added, while the combination of marks 123 indicating the second code information differs depending on the position on the token original plate 10.

In other words, at the printing stage on the token original plate 10, the ID mark area 121 is entirely coated with invisible UV ink (solid coating), and an ID corresponding to the position of each gaming token 1 on the token original plate 10 is assigned as the second code information. As described above, the first code information for uniquely identifying the token original plate 10 is assigned by irradiating the ID mark area 121 with laser light, so at this printing stage, the same plate can be used to print on all of the multiple token original plates 10.

Once printing is complete, laser light is then applied to the multiple ID mark areas 121 of the token original plate 10 to provide first code information (step S103). As described above, this first code information is information that can individually identify the token original plate 10, and therefore the same first code information is provided to the multiple ID mark areas 121 of the same token original plate 10.

Next, RF tag information is written to each of the multiple RF tags 13 using an RF writer (step S104). After the above steps are completed, a die is used to perform punching at each position on the token original plate 10 corresponding to the multiple gaming tokens 1 (step S105), and disk-shaped gaming tokens 1 are obtained. Note that the RF tag information may be written before the laser irradiation step, before printing, or before the thermocompression step.

Next, an inspection system including the gaming token 1 will be described. Figure 12 is a diagram showing a configuration for inspecting the gaming token 1 placed on the gaming table T, and Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the inspection system.

As shown in FIG. 13, the inspection system 50 includes a UV camera 51, a visible light camera 52, an RF reader 53, a recording device 54, an inspection device 55, a database 56, and an output device 57. The UV camera 51 includes an ultraviolet ray irradiation lamp 512 in addition to the components of a typical digital camera, such as a lens 511 and an image sensor. The ultraviolet ray irradiation lamp 512 irradiates ultraviolet rays into the viewing area of the UV camera 51. The UV camera 51 turns on the ultraviolet ray irradiation lamp 512 and irradiates the gaming token 1 to capture an image (UV image) emitted by the UV ink. The visible light camera 52 includes the components of a typical digital camera, such as a lens 521 and an image sensor.

As shown in FIG. 12, a pole P is erected on the gaming table T. The UV camera 51 is attached relatively high on the pole P and is installed facing diagonally downward so as to photograph the table surface from above. The visible light camera 52 is attached relatively low on the pole P and is installed facing approximately horizontally so as to clearly photograph the side of the gaming token 1 placed on the gaming table T.

The RF reader 53 is equipped with an antenna 531 that transmits and receives electromagnetic waves to read RF tag information from the RF tag 13 of the gaming token 1. The RF reader 53 reads the RF tag information based on the electromagnetic waves received by the antenna 531. As shown in FIG. 12, the RF reader 53 is built into the gaming table T below the table surface.

The UV image of the display surface 120 of the gaming token 1 captured by the UV camera 51, the visible light image of the side of the gaming token 1 captured by the visible light camera 52, and the RF tag information stored in the RF tag 13 of the gaming token 1 read by the RF reader 53 are all recorded in the recording device 54.

The inspection device 55 performs image recognition processing on the recording results of the recording device 54, i.e., the UV image, visible light image, and RF tag information recorded in the recording device 54, to identify the images and determine the authenticity of the gaming token 1. The inspection device 55 reads the code information based on the UV image of the display surface 120, and reads the side information (color of the colored layer) based on the visible light image of the side. The inspection device 55 is equipped with a machine learning model for recognizing each of the UV image from the UV camera 51 and the visible light image from the visible light camera 52. More specifically, the inspection device 55 can perform image recognition processing using a neural network.

When the code information and the RF tag information are the same information, the database 56 stores the code information of the gaming token 1 that may be used in association with information on the type of gaming token 1, the machine used to manufacture the token original plate 10 of the gaming token 1, the order of manufacture, the time of manufacture, and/or manufacturing information.

The inspection device 55 judges whether the recognized code information matches the RF tag information read by the RF reader 53. In a genuine gaming token 1, the recognized code information and the RF tag information read by the RF reader 53 should match, and if these pieces of information do not match, the inspection device 55 judges that the gaming token 1 is an illegal gaming token 1.

If the code information and the RF tag information match, the inspection device 55 further inspects whether or not the code information is stored in the database 56. If the information recognized from the UV image and the RF tag 13 is not stored in the database 56, it determines that the gaming token 1 is a fraudulent gaming token 1.

The inspection device 55 further inspects whether the type of gaming token 1 associated with the information recognized in the database 56 matches the type recognized from the visible light image of the side. If they do not match, the inspection device 55 determines that the gaming token 1 is a fraudulent gaming token 1.

When the code information and the RF tag information are not the same information, the database 56 stores the code information of the gaming token 1 that may be used in association with the type of the gaming token 1, the RF tag information, the machine used to manufacture the token original plate 10 of the gaming token 1, the order of manufacture, the time of manufacture, and/or the manufacture information.

The inspection device 55 determines the authenticity of the gaming token 1 by inspecting whether the combination of the code information recognized from the UV image of the display surface 120, the RF tag information read by the RF reader 53, and the type of gaming token 1 information recognized from the visible light image of the side is in the database 56.

Except in cases where the inspection device 55 judges the gaming token 1 to be fraudulent, it determines that the gaming token 1 is a genuine gaming token 1. The output device 57 outputs the result of judging the authenticity of the gaming token 1, i.e., the result of the judgment as to whether it is fraudulent or genuine. The output device 57 may be a display device that displays the judgment result as an image, a speaker that outputs the judgment result as sound, or a lamp that outputs the judgment result in a color. Furthermore, the judgment result by the inspection device 55 is recorded in the recording device 54.

As described above, in the gaming token 1 of this embodiment, the ID mark area 121 of the display surface 120 is solidly coated with invisible ink that becomes visible when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and then the ID mark area 121 is irradiated with a laser to alter the irradiated portion, forming a mark 122 that does not become visible (does not emit light) even when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and such an irradiated portion (position of the mark 122) is selected according to the code information, thereby imparting code information to the ID mark area 121. This code information (first code information) can be made visible as the non-luminescent mark 122 by irradiating the ID mark area 121 with ultraviolet light.

It is also possible to construct the first code information by ejecting invisible ink to draw the mark 122, but in this case, only the mark 122 will protrude from the display surface 120, and the mark 122 may wear away during the use of the gaming token 1. In particular, when a relatively small mark is used to express a large amount of information, such as the mark 122, there is a risk that the mark will wear away and no longer be able to express the correct information. In contrast, in this embodiment, the mark 122 that constitutes the first code information does not protrude from the display surface 120, so there is no risk of the mark 122 disappearing due to wear.

The gaming token 1 of this embodiment also has a mark 123 printed in invisible ink on the display surface 120 as second code information. While the first code information is information that uniquely identifies the token original plate 10, the second code information is information that uniquely identifies a position on the token original plate 10, and by combining these, a unique ID that uniquely identifies the gaming token 1 is formed. With this configuration, when printing the mark 123 and invisible ink area 120 of the second code information, it is sufficient to print the same on all of the token original plates 10, and therefore the same printing plate can be used.

In addition, after the application of invisible ink has been completed, the token original plate 10 is given first code information that uniquely identifies the token original plate 10 by laser irradiation, so that the same first code information can be conveniently given to multiple gaming tokens 1 cut out from the same token original plate 10.

In addition, because the invisible ink is transparent, the code information cannot be seen with the naked eye during normal use (under visible light), and it does not affect the design of the display surface 120 of the gaming token 1, while also improving security.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, UV ink that emits fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet light is used as the invisible ink, but the invisible ink is not limited to this and may be, for example, an infrared absorbing material. When an infrared absorbing material is used as the invisible ink, ink made of the infrared absorbing material is applied (printed) over the entire surface of the ID mark area 121, and a laser beam is irradiated onto the ID mark area 121 that is entirely printed with the infrared absorbing material at a position corresponding to the first code information, thereby altering the irradiated portion to form the mark 122.

In this case, the altered portion of the mark 122 cannot absorb infrared light. Therefore, when reading the first code information, by irradiating infrared light onto this ID mark area 121, the infrared light is not absorbed by the mark 122 but is reflected, and the infrared light is absorbed in the portions of the ID mark area 121 other than the mark 122, and is not reflected, or the amount of reflection is small. Therefore, by photographing this ID mark area 121 with an infrared camera, it is possible to read the first code information consisting of the mark 122.

For this reason, the inspection system is equipped with an infrared camera instead of the UV camera 51. The infrared camera is equipped with an infrared irradiation light that emits infrared rays and an infrared detection element that detects an infrared image from a subject through a lens and generates an infrared image.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the ID mark area 121 is partially irradiated with laser light to alter the irradiated portion and form the mark 123. Alternatively, the invisible ink in the irradiated portion may be removed by irradiating the laser light. In this case, it is necessary to irradiate a stronger laser light than in the above embodiment.

Even if the marks 122 are formed by removing the invisible ink, as in the above embodiment, if the invisible ink is UV ink, the arrangement of the marks 122 can be visualized by irradiating the ID mark area 121 with ultraviolet light, and if the invisible ink is an ink made of an infrared absorbing material, the arrangement of the marks 122 can be visualized by irradiating the ID mark area 121 with infrared light.

Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view of a modified gaming token 1'. The gaming token 1' is a multi-layer structure in which multiple plastic layers of different colors are laminated together, with at least a colored layer (designated color layer) 11 in the middle, and light-colored layers (common color layers) 12 laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 11. It is preferable that the color of the light-colored layer 12 is lighter than the color of the colored layer 11. In this way, the gaming token 1' has a multi-layer structure in which the colored layer 11 is provided and the light-colored layers 12 are laminated on both sides of this intermediate colored layer 11, forming stripes on the side in the lamination direction, and by changing the color of the colored layer 11, the type of gaming token 1' can be identified.

In this modified example, the colored layer 11 is formed of multiple layers (three layers in FIG. 14) colored in a specified color as shown in FIG. 14, but the multiple layers colored in the specified color are thermocompressed together, so the three-layer structure is not visible. A cutout B is provided in the middle layer of the three layers of the colored layer 11, and the RF tag 13 is embedded within it.

As in the above embodiment, the display surface 120 of the gaming token 1' is printed with numbers indicating the type (value) of the gaming token 1', a transparent layer 16 is provided on the outermost layer, and each layer is thermocompressed to form at least a five-layer structure. This gaming token 1' is formed by stacking plastic sheet members that constitute each layer (colored layer 11, light-colored layer 12, and transparent layer 16), with an RF tag 13 placed in cutout B, and forming a token original plate 10 in a state where the stacked sheet members are thermocompressed to each other and in close contact (e.g., a five-layer structure), and then punching the token original plate 10 into a circle, rectangle, or the like by a press or the like.

When punching out with a press, the dimensions of the die and punch used in the punching metal mold are designed so that the edges of the outermost transparent layer 16 are rounded (rounded corners). This prevents the surface of the light-colored layer 12 from deforming and appearing on the sides. It also prevents the edges of the gaming token 1' from becoming sharp and damaging hands or other gaming tokens 1'.

As shown in FIG. 14, the gaming token 1' has a multi-layered structure with a clearly formed stripe pattern in the stacking direction on the side, so that the color of the colored layer 11 (type of gaming token 1) and the number of coins can be easily and accurately measured by image recognition in the inspection device 55.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of a modified example for inspecting gaming tokens 1 collected for inspection, and Figure 16 is a block diagram of the modified inspection system. In the inspection system 70 of Figure 16, the same components as those in the inspection system 50 shown in Figure 13 are given the same symbols and detailed explanations are omitted. The configuration of the inspection system 70 is similar to that of the inspection system 50, but in the inspection system 70, a visible light camera 58 for photographing surface printed information (particularly numbers indicating type) is provided separately from the UV camera 51 for photographing code information in invisible ink. The visible light camera 58 has the configuration of a typical digital camera equipped with a lens 581 and an image sensor.

Like the inspection system 50, the inspection system 70 is equipped with a UV camera 51 for photographing the code information on the display surface 120 of the gaming token 1, a visible light camera 52 for photographing the striped pattern on the side, an RF reader 53 for reading the information on the RF tag 13 of the gaming token 1, a recording device 54, an inspection device 55, a database 56, and an output device 57.

As shown in FIG. 15, this inspection system 70 includes an extrusion device 102 that moves the extrusion unit 10 in the direction of the arrow Z, and the stacked gaming tokens 1 are supplied one by one to the reading stage 109 by moving the extrusion unit 101 in the direction of the arrow Z using the extrusion device 102. At the reading stage 109, the visible light camera 58, UV camera 51, and visible light camera 52 photograph the surface printed information, code information, and side surface, respectively, and the RF tag 13 embedded in the gaming token 1 is read by the RF reader 53. The gaming token 1 that has been read is pushed out by the next gaming token 1 and falls in the direction of the arrow X, and the gaming token 1 that has fallen in the direction of the arrow X is held by the holding stage 110.

The method of authenticity determination in the inspection device 55 may be the same as in the above embodiment. Note that the surface printed information and code information are printed on both of the two display surfaces of the gaming token 1 inspected by this inspection system 70, but if the surface printed information and code information of the gaming token 1 are provided on only one surface, the UV camera 51 and the visible light camera 58 may be provided on both the front and back sides. This allows the surface printed information and code information printed on only one side to be photographed by the UV camera 51 and the visible light camera 58 on at least one of the front and back sides.

In addition, in the gaming token 1 of the above embodiment, in addition to the code information in invisible ink, RF tag information is stored in the RF tag 13 and this RF tag information is read by the RF reader 53, but instead of or in addition to the RF tag information in the RF tag 13, an ID code (side ID) may be printed on the side of the gaming token 1. This side ID may be printed in normal ink or in invisible ink.

When a side ID is assigned, the contents of the side ID are stored in association with the code information in the database 56, as in the above embodiment, and the inspection device 55 refers to the database 56 to determine whether the recognized side ID is stored in the database 56.

In addition, in the gaming token 1 of the above embodiment, the code information is represented by the arrangement of the marks 122 and 123, but the code information may be represented by numbers or letters. Similarly, the side ID may be represented by the arrangement of marks, or may be represented by numbers or letters.

In addition, in the gaming token 1 of the above embodiment, the first code information is information that identifies the token original plate 10, but the first code information may be identification information that uniquely identifies the gaming token 1. Also, the code information may be composed of only the first code information, without the second code information.

The above embodiment and its modifications disclose at least the following inventions.
(1) An inspection system for tokens used in table games, comprising:
a camera for photographing the tokens;
A recording device for recording the image of the token taken by the camera;
and an inspection device that judges the authenticity of the tokens using the images recorded in the recording device,
The gaming token is provided with code information,
the inspection device determines the authenticity of the gaming token by recognizing the code information from the image recorded in the recording device;
An inspection system in which the code information is imparted to the gaming currency by irradiating an invisible ink area where invisible ink is printed with laser light to partially alter or remove the invisible ink that constitutes the invisible ink area.

(2) An inspection system according to (1), wherein the code information is a unique ID capable of individually identifying the gaming token, or a unique ID capable of individually identifying the group to which the gaming token belongs.

(3) An inspection system according to (1), in which the code information is associated in a database with any of the machine used for manufacturing, the order of manufacture, the time of manufacture, and manufacturing information.

(4) The gaming token further includes, in addition to the code information, RF tag information stored in an RF tag or an ID code written on a side thereof,
The inspection system has a database that associates the code information with the RF tag information or the ID code,
The camera photographs the code information given to the gaming token to be inspected,
The inspection device determines the authenticity of the gaming token by referring to the database and comparing the code information with the RF tag information or the ID code, the inspection system being any of (1) to (3).

(5) An inspection system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the camera is equipped with a lamp that makes the invisible ink visible and photographs the visualized code information.

(6) An inspection system according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the code information is a code consisting of characters or marks.

(7) An inspection system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the invisible ink is transparent.

(8) Code information is provided to determine authenticity,
The code information is imparted to the token for gaming by irradiating an invisible ink area made of UV ink or infrared absorbing material with laser light to partially alter or remove the UV ink or infrared absorbing material that makes up the invisible ink area.

(9) A gaming token according to (8), wherein the code information is a unique ID that can individually identify the gaming token or a unique ID that can individually identify the group to which the gaming token belongs.

(10) A gaming token as defined in (9), in which the code information is associated in a database with at least one of the machine used to manufacture the gaming token, the order of manufacture, the time of manufacture, and manufacturing information.

(11) The gaming token further includes RF tag information stored in an RF tag or an ID code written on a side thereof in addition to the code information,
Any of the gaming tokens (8) to (10) above, the authenticity of which can be determined by referring to a database that associates the code information with the RF tag information or the ID code, and comparing the code information given to the gaming token to be inspected with the RF tag information or the ID code.

(12) Any of the gaming tokens (8) to (11), in which the code information is a code consisting of letters or marks.

(13) A gaming token according to any one of (8) to (12), in which the invisible ink is transparent.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming token 10 Token original plate 11 Colored layer 12 Light colored layer 13 RF tag 14 Printed layer 15 Protective film 16 Transparent layer 50 Inspection system 51 UV camera 52 Visible light camera 53 RF reader 54 Recording device 55 Inspection device 56 Database 57 Output device 58 Visible light camera 70 Inspection system 120 Display surface 121 ID mark area 122 Mark 123 Mark 124 L-shaped mark 511 Lens 512 Ultraviolet irradiation lamp 521 Lens 531 Antenna 581 Lens

Claims (7)

A token for gaming,
A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having a first ID recorded thereon is provided,
A second ID is written by laser irradiation,
The second ID is displayed by changing the light reflection characteristics or absorption characteristics of the irradiated portion by the laser irradiation. A combination of the first ID and the second ID is stored in a database;
2. The gaming token according to claim 1, which can be inspected by reading the first ID and/or the second ID and referring to the database. 2. The gaming token according to claim 1, wherein the second ID is written so as not to be visible in normal use. 2. The gaming token according to claim 1, wherein the first ID or the second ID is associated with any one of the machine used for production, the order of production, the time of production, and production information via a database. The gaming token according to claim 1 , wherein the second ID is a code consisting of letters or marks. 2. The gaming token according to claim 1, having a reference mark that serves as a reference for the area in which the second ID is provided. 2. The gaming token according to claim 1, wherein the second ID is expressed by the presence or absence of a mark at a predetermined position.

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